Phalgam Terror attack the trigger for operation Sindoor

 

                

On 22nd April 2025 in Pahalgam 26 innocent Indians were murdered in the presence of their spouses & other family members at point blank only after their religious identity had been established underscores India's enduring security challenges emanating from Pakistan.  For over five decades, India has grappled with cross-border terrorism, losing countless civilians and security personnel across various regions, including the Northeast, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. Every terror outfit responsible for these attacks has found support beyond India's borders. While diplomatic and economic pressures, including the strategic use of water resources, are part of India's toolkit, their long-term effectiveness in deterring cross-border terrorism remains a subject of debate. Even decisive responses like the surgical strike and Balakot airstrike haven't fully prevented such tragedies, signaling a need for a more comprehensive and potentially radical reassessment of India's approach.

Historical Roots of State-Sponsored Terrorism

The adoption of terror as a state policy by Pakistan is deeply rooted in its post-1971 geopolitical reality. Following the profound defeat in 1971 and the secession of East Pakistan to become Bangladesh, both Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and General Zia-ul-Haq recognized Pakistan's limitations in engaging India in conventional warfare. This stark realization led to a strategic shift towards unconventional methods, culminating in the adoption of a policy aimed at "bleeding India through a thousand cuts.

Link to this videoSurrender of 93000 Pakistan Army soldiers in 1971

This strategy gained further traction under General Pervez Musharraf. Leveraging the geopolitical landscape of the Soviet-Afghan War, Pakistan, with significant financial and material support from the United States, became a key conduit for arming and training militants disguised as Afghan Mujahideen. These groups included elements that would later form the Taliban. The US, hesitant to deploy its own troops, channeled substantial resources through Pakistan, inadvertently fostering a sophisticated network capable of producing and deploying terrorists (non-state actors). Effectively, elements within the Pakistani establishment became adept at cultivating and utilizing extremist groups, a capability that was later redirected towards India.

The Ongoing Struggle and Future Considerations

Today, India confronts the complex and arduous task of dismantling this deeply entrenched infrastructure of terrorism and its production capabilities. The argument that leaving Pakistan intact poses a continuous risk to India's citizens carries significant weight, especially in light of repeated terror attacks emanating from its soil. The notion The idea of Pakistan's fragmentation, while carrying immense implications, is fueled by the desire for a permanent resolution to a decades-long conflict. The potential for internal strife to lead to its disintegration presents a complex scenario, one that could offer opportunities for reclaiming Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan, territories considered integral to India.

However, the path of armed conflict is fraught with peril. The historical context of India-Pakistan conflicts underscores the potential for escalation and the immense human and economic costs involved. Moreover, the challenges of managing a fragmented Pakistan and ensuring lasting peace in the region would be substantial. While operations like "Operation Sindoor" aim to provide a level playing field for India's forces, who often face ambushes and are handicapped by densely populated areas, the decision to engage in widespread armed conflict is momentous. While the desire for a swift and decisive end to the threat of cross-border terrorism is understandable, a thorough and nuanced consideration of all possible outcomes, both intended and unintended, is crucial. India must continue to address the constant source of terrorism, accepting that some losses will be inevitable in ongoing operations, but that these losses are not a reason to cease efforts to eliminate this persistent threat.

What steps can India take to address the historical legacy of state-sponsored terrorism from Pakistan while minimizing the risks of escalation?